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Mzingaye Sibanda Sports Reporter
WOMEN’S Athletics National Cross-Country champion Olivia Chitate is targeting a gold medal in the Southern African Regional Championships to be held in Portstroom, South Africa, on Saturday.Chitate was on another level on Sunday in Kadoma as she dominated the senior women’s 8km race and managed to open a huge gap between her and the chasing pack.
The ZRP Harare athlete said she wants to improve from her weekend performance so that she can scoop gold in South Africa.
“I want to improve from my Sunday’s performance because I know in South Africa there will be stiff competition especially now that I will be facing other top athletes.
“I’m positive this time around, I want to bring a gold medal home. I just have to train even harder these coming days,” she said.
Chitate won a silver medal in the last edition of the regional championships.
Also travelling with the senior women’s team will be Faith and Constance Nyasango and Bulawayo-based Rosseta Mandevu.
In the senior men’s team Bulawayo star athlete Isaac Mpofu will take part in this year’s regional championships after missing the competition last year because of commitments to Police Games.
Mpofu will be representing the country with veteran Elijah Mabhunu, Wellington Varevi, Jonathan Chinyoka and national champion Munyaradzi Jari.
Each travelling athlete has been asked by the cash strapped National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe to fork out $200 for the trip.
Naaz director for development and recruitment Lisimati Phakamisa said they are working tirelessly to make sure that every athlete travels.
“Normally the association caters for such events but we haven’t received our grant hence the move to ask athletes to pay but we are working on logistics so that everyone travels,” said Phakamile.
“We usually face competition from South Africa but with the competition exhibited in Kadoma, I’m positive we will do well. We are travelling with top athletes,” said Phakamile.
The team will assemble at the Bulawayo Large City Hall tomorrow before leaving for South Africa.
Online Reporter